Bodø/Glimt 2 (Stig Johansen 2x) - Fredrikstad 1 (Fernando Wallace)
Aalesund 0 - Vålerenga 0
Lyn 1 (Lucas Pratto) - Molde 3 (Aksel Bergen Skjølsvik, Toni Koskela, Mame Biram Diouf)
Rosenborg 4 (Didier Konan Ya, Marek Sapara 2x, Besart Berisha) - HamKam 0
Strømsgodset 1 (Christer George) - Tromsø 3 (Tommy Knarvik, Kevin Larsen, Miika Koppinen)
Viking 4 (Mame Niang, Alexander Ødegaard 2x, Martin Fillo) - Stabæk 1 (Veigar Pall Gunnarsson)
Lillestrøm 1 (Steinar Pedersen) - Brann 1 (Gylfi Einarsson)
Fredrikstad rather predictably played themselves out of title-contention with a 2-1 defeat to remarkable Northerners Bodø/Glimt, it seems fjordball's suspicions that Fredriktad are a bit rubbish without Kasey Wehrman were uncharacteristically accurate. Aalesund and Vålerenga both had reason to be disappointed about it all as they played out a scoreless draw, while Molde shocked and confused everyone by recording a hugely impressive win over Lyn. HamKam made Rosenborg look excellent at Lerkendal, but the real story of the weekend was Tromsø moving to within three points of leaders Stabæk.
Stabæk Reveal Soft Underbelly
All the post-match talk following Stabæk's unexpected capitulation in Stavanger was about the controversial sending off which seemed to doom Stabæk (it was one of those situations where the rules of the game and common sense clash and cause anger and confusion amongst the masses), which is convenient for Jan Jönsson's men as it means no one are talking about how completely they fell apart at the first sign of trouble.
Fredrikstad and Tromsø have both suffered from early red cards in recent weeks, but both outfits managed to shore things up and salvage a point. Stabæk on the other hand imploded completely and were 4-0 down at half time. Which seems to support another one of fjordball's hobby-horses: The reason Stabæk looked so much more resilient and durable earlier this season than they have before was the now departed Anthony Annan. His heir apparent Pontus Farnerud is a classy player, but he lacks the mean streak and defensive prowess of his predecessor. It's all well and good when you're pummelling dross like Strømsgodset at home, but when the going gets tough Stabæk now lack someone who can put their foot in.
Northern Miracle
Tromsø in second, just three points off the title. Bodø/Glimt fourth, just one point off a medal. Anyone who predicted this before the season would have been accused of partying with Erik Mykland. How did this happen? The two clubs combined have about the same operating-budget as Brann, they rely heavily on creaky old men like Runar Berg and Sigurd Rushfeldt, but somehow they've both been amongst the most consistent sides this season.
The Tromsø-thing isn't THAT inexplicable, Steinar Nielsen has assembled hard-working bunch that are at times almost impossible to break down (15 goals conceded in 21 games is remarkable) and that has just enough attacking verve to score the goals they need.
Bodø/Glimt on the other hand have left everyone at fjordball-towers puzzled. A side consisting largely of unknown-types and players thought to be over the hill (Trond Olsen being the only player with a bit of a name), Glimt have proved to be remarkably resilient. Hats off to them, impressive stuff.
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